Parc Hotel Gritti

It's hard to fix a specific identity on the Parc Hotel Gritti. While the hotel's setting on Lake Garda suggests all things tranquil, the hotel itself feels stuck in two eras. First impressions are nice, though, and a profusion of colorful flowers, palm trees, and potted trees mark the entrance as guests drive up to the hotel. The terra-cotta and yellow four-story building sprawls across a grassy lawn that's landscaped with flower beds and palm trees, giving the hotel the feeling of a wellness retreat high in the mountains of northern Italy. Guests enter through glass doors into the expansive lobby, a bright, modern space with a long, curving reception desk and large floor-to-ceiling white columns. Bright yellow contemporary sofas and white chairs give guests a place to gather. Modern art hangs on the beige walls, glass globes hang overhead along with a huge crystal chandelier, and tall potted cacti add a bit of drama. In back, there's a nice terrace with flowers, trees, and grass, and guests can lounge on wicker chairs in the shade. Still, other areas of the hotel -- including the pool, spa, and restaurants -- are past their prime. All in all, this is a quiet, peaceful place (except when noisy groups are in the house) that attracts mostly couples, though some families and friends pass through as well.

Situated next to picturesque Lake Garda, the hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the center of Bardolino. There are restaurants and a few shops in town, as well as several historical sights, including the ninth-century Church of San Severo. The area is also home to several wineries, and the Zeni Winery Museum is only a five-minute drive from the hotel. The region has a summer-holiday vibe, and attractions like Caneva Aquapark and Gardaland amusement park are both within a 15-minute drive. Peschiera del Garda can be reached in about 20 minutes by car. Quaint Malcesine, a town wedged between Mount Baldo and Lake Garda, is a 40-minute drive to the north, while romantic Verona -- with its historical and cultural attractions -- is just over a half-hour away by car, or an hour and 15 minutes by public transportation.  Verona Villafranca Airport is a 30-minute drive southeast of the hotel. 

The quality of rooms at Parc Hotel Gritti is inconsistent, and guests should check ahead to make sure that they are getting what they've paid for. Privilege, Superior, and Parc Feeling for Women Rooms are more modern and fresh, with pleasant color schemes done in tasteful soft blues, rich browns, and steely grays. Still, it's a classic look, with upholstered headboards offering a nod to a more traditional style, punctuated by contemporary elements like white furniture with sharp, clean lines and bright, Expressionistic still lives on the walls. Unfortunately, Standard Rooms -- like the Double Room that we visited -- are well past due for an update. Colors are garish and out-of-date, furniture is old, details like patterned bedspreads make appearances, and TVs are tube-style units. These rooms allow smoking and pets, and some have furnished balconies with nice views. The Parc Feeling for Women Rooms are tailored to meet the needs of female guests, with more feminine color schemes of soft blue and gray, abstract floral artwork, and additional toiletries in the bathroom. All rooms come with air-conditioning, electric kettles for tea and coffee, and minibars. More modern rooms have flat-screen TVs. Bathroom style predictably correlates to the overall style of the room category. The Standard Rooms bathrooms are retro-ish, with gray and white tiling and yellow border plus dated fixtures. They are, at least, clean, and include shower/tub combos and nice granite countertops with space for storage -- we did spot some wear, and mirrors in particular could use a replacement. Other bathrooms are done in a combination of dark marble and light tiling, and have contemporary accents like square sinks and sleek fixtures. Views from rooms are of the courtyard, trees, or pool, so guests should not expect to see the lake from their room. Note that twin beds are pushed together to make a double bed in some rooms. 

Features at Parc Hotel Gritti are upscale and relaxing, in line with the hotel's tranquil lakeside setting. Dining options include three restaurants and two bars. A buffet for breakfast and dinner is served in both Cipriani and D'Annunzio, and the meals are included in half-board rates. Cipriani is the more lively of the two options, but both restaurants could use an update. For a more elegant meal, guests can dine at the Gourmet Restaurant with a fixed tasting menu (reservations required). Located by the garden, the American Bar is a handsome, contemporary space with a piano for live entertainment on some nights. The Grill Bar is open seasonally by the pool, and guests can dine inside or out on the pool deck. The large outdoor pool, ringed in sunny yellow tile, is surrounded by bright orange and yellow lounge chairs and umbrellas, as well as cafe seating for dining and drinking by the water. A huge flower design is painted on the bottom of the pool, which doesn't make the most up-to-date impression. For guests who prefer the lake, the hotel has an agreement with Lido Mirabello, which offers a grassy lawn, a pier, and a cafe with outdoor seating. The indoor pool and whirlpool are located in the wellness center, which also has a small gym with dated Technogym cardio and weight-training equipment, a sauna, Turkish bath, and thermal areas. A variety of massage, facial, and body treatments also are offered. Two event spaces are suitable for business or social gatherings and can accommodate over 500 people. A business desk in the lobby offers two computers and a printer for guests to use. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but the signal is spotty.